20.02.2025 12:21
In Eskişehir, municipal police teams imposed an administrative fine of 2,953 lira on those who threw cigarette butts on the ground. During the operations, some were angry at their spouses who received fines, some said they would pay the fine if they threw another one, and others called their friends to warn them.
Recently, Odunpazarı Mayor Kazım Kurt announced during a council meeting that, as a result of a joint decision made by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, Odunpazarı Municipality, and Tepebaşı Municipality, citizens who throw cigarette butts and sunflower seed shells on the ground will be fined 2,953 lira by the municipal police. The teams of the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality's Municipal Police Department conducted an operation related to this decision yesterday. During the operation carried out by plainclothes teams in front of Espark Shopping Mall, citizens were monitored, and those who threw cigarette butts on the ground were penalized. In approximately one and a half hours of work, 15 individuals were fined.
SOME GOT ANGRY AT THEIR SPOUSE FOR GETTING A FINE
Some of the citizens who were fined accepted their mistake and found the operation reasonable, while others claimed they were unaware of the decision. Meanwhile, interesting scenes also emerged during the operations. One of the citizens who was fined 2,953 lira for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground lit another cigarette while being penalized and said, "If I throw this one on the ground, I'll pay for it too." Additionally, the spouse of a citizen who was fined expressed her frustration by saying, "Let's go home, this is ruining our mood." The friend of the fined citizen called other friends to warn them that fines were being issued in the mentioned area. Those who saw the fined individuals created a crowd in front of the trash bins.
"IF WE THROW AGAIN, WE'LL PAY THE PRICE"
Kamil Kayıhan, who was smoking while being fined, stated, "If we throw again, we'll pay the price. I think this issue is being viewed a bit more financially. It's not something that can be solved by fining one or two people."
Ömer Belli, a friend who was fined, said, "It would be better if we were more conscious. This fine shouldn't be turned into an opportunity. There should be similar applications for other issues as well. It's better not to throw, I think they shouldn't throw. They need to be conscious. I hope my friend doesn't throw cigarette butts on the ground again."
"I WILL BE MORE CAREFUL NOW"
Another citizen, who said he was aware of the decision but got distracted, stated, "I just threw a cigarette butt on the ground. I looked for a trash bin but couldn't find one. I knew about the decision, but I got distracted. The municipality needs to make it easier. It would be better if there were more places to throw cigarette butts. Don't throw them on the ground."
Another individual who was unaware of the decision said, "I was fined for throwing a cigarette butt on the ground. I had no knowledge of the decision; this is the first time I've heard of it. Usually, when I find a trash bin, I extinguish it there. I will be more careful now."